A Beauty Refined, a novel by Tracie Peterson, opens in Helena, Montana in 1907. Phoebe Von Bergen is a child of privilege. Her father is a German count and they have come to Montana to buy sapphires. She finds herself attracted to an American, Ian Harper, who works as a lapidary. Ian was hurt badly once and is afraid to take another chance on love. Despite his fears of being hurt again, he finds himself caring deeply for Phoebe. At first, Phoebe has no reason to believe anything is amiss, but this changes very quickly. An unexpected encounter changes her life. Secrets are revealed and Phoebe faces unimaginable danger and lives are threatened. Do Phoebe and Ian have a chance at a future together?

The author has written an engrossing novel with a cast of multidimensional characters whose world becomes very real to the reader. The story deals with serious issues including honesty, betrayal, deceit, love and faith. This is a fast moving story with enough twists, turns and surprises to hold the reader’s attention to the end. Highly recommended.

I received this book for free from Bethany House and I give this review of my own free will.